Fandom Flounce

Synonyms:	online exit, internet flounce
See also:	gafiate, pseuicide, Forced Away from It All, Open Letter
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A fandom flounce is a dramatic exit from a community, mailing list, or a fandom (or even fandom in general).

A flounce usually takes the form of an announcement that the fan will "quit all communities," "never write again," and even to "delete or f-lock all their fanworks."

Flounces often follow in the wake of a kerfuffle, a flame war, or in response to undesired/negative feedback.

Some fans have been known to flounce repeatedly, or to employ it as their usual method of leaving a fandom.

Flouncing is often a reaction out of genuine hurt and disappointment. But it is also sometimes a drama ploy to garner sympathy and messages of support, and a way to rally the supporters to beg the fan not to leave.

Not everyone agrees on what qualifies as a 'flounce'; one person's flounce may be another person's brave rallying cry.

Deflection and Derailment

Flounces can also be a way to stop conversations and deflect attention. When used as a derail, a threat of a fandom flounce can be an effective strategy to stop or derail a discussion, shifting the focus away from the original topic, which may have been uncomfortable (for example a discussion of racist elements showing in a fanwork) to focus on soothing the upset fan with an outpouring of sympathy to prevent them from leaving, or alternatively mocking the overreaction of flounces and such, but in either case the discussion will devolve into more general wank away from the original topic.

Golden Flounce Award

Reassurance, and Begging

A key defining factor in a flounce is often an underlying tone of seeking reassurance:

....some people who state that they are deleting their journals or leaving a message board or forum are not indulging in a dramatic reading of Goodbye Cruel Internets, but really have decided to stop participating in that particular venue. But the difference in tone between the two styles is, at least to the Lady of the Manners, very obvious. People who have decided to move on usually state their decision in terms of “I’ve decided to focus my energies elsewhere”, or “Things are getting busy for me and I don’t have the time to keep up with this”, whereas variations of the Great Flounce-Off include “I don’t think anyone understands what I’m trying to say, so I’m just going to stop posting”, or “It’s obvious that I’m making everyone upset or offending them, so I should stop posting”. One of the tell-tale markers of something from the Goodbye Cruel Internets script is the undercurrent of the person seeking validation or reassurance that they shouldn’t go away.

Definitions and Fan Comments

1997

You're going to hear a lot of things. Truth, lies -- you'll make the decision on that for yourself. But, if you can, just every so often, when it's quiet again, and all there is the fanfic and the thrill of your muse, then if you might, remember me. Goodbye.

2006

You know the ones. The writer/fan/reader posts a long-winded explanation (a.k.a. "suicide note") why they're leaving... forever (back of hand to forehead)... woe is me -- "and here's how you all should feel really guilty about my departure." Just to make sure the knife is keenly felt, "I shalt take down all my fics and delete my archive.

2008

Then comes the flounce. Dr. Merlin likes to refer to the flounce as the "Yer all bastards!" stage of fandom, though other names may apply as needed. The flounce is accompanied with an exaggerated expression of bitter disappointment, a public refusal to discuss the matter further with the other parties, an even more public final note that one is leaving the fandom, and occasionally (though not always) the deletion/renaming of one's Livejournal or blog. Scarlett O'Hara does not sweep off-screen as dramatically as the fan does when s/he is breaking up with a fandom.

2019

I@matociquala:

just realized that the internet flounce exists in three species largely unchanged since Usenet:

1. I guess I touched a nerve that time!
2. I feel sorry for you that you don't understand my brilliance.
3. **Fakes own death**

Some Examples

A sample flounce from 1997:

You're going to hear a lot of things. Truth, lies -- you'll make the decision on that for yourself. But, if you can, just every so often, when it's quiet again, and all there is the fanfic and the thrill of your muse, then if you might, remember me. Goodbye.

• Beth Blighton and All I can see of fandom is something that was once beautiful which has now become painful and almost unbearable. (1991) and her departure (1994)
• [J J] and So I leave the genre, if not the APA, with no regrets to be going and a good deal of relief that I don't have to try to like this stuff any more. (1997)
• Dargelos and Dargelos: The Obituary (2010)
• Melody C. and various dates
• Jane of Australia and Jane of Australia: Gafiated (2006)
• Otterlady (2003)
• Alexis Fegan Black and Alexis Fegan Black is Dead (2017)

• Michela Ecks and Michela Ecks' FF.net Resignation Letter (2001)
• Re: OTW elections: presented without comment, ^{Archived version}, thread at Fail-Fandomanon, en masse OTW Board resignation (November 22, 2015)

Fandom's Response To Flounces

In general, fandom views flouncing on par with toddler tantrums: annoying and disruptive. Some fandom communities tag or make lists of note-worthy flounces in an almost celebratory fashion. Other fans point to flouncing as an example of how their fandom community is deteriorating sometimes ignoring the fact that the behavior has existed for decades and stretches across multiple fandoms. Other fans take a more balanced approach:

It seems like every day I see people in my Twitter feed threatening to flounce the fandom for one reason or another. It’s very true the Twi-fandom has more than its share of drama -on many occasions I’ve rolled my eyes so far back in my head I thought they would get stuck. Despite the drama, I haven’t thought about picking up my toys and going home. Why, do you ask? Well, it’s not the books or the movies, although I have enjoyed them. Read on and I’ll tell you why I’m sticking around. The biggest reason I can’t flounce is the many wonderful people in this fandom. Yes, there are some bad apples, but they can be found in any social group. I’ve made more friends than I can count over the last three years. We started out chatting online, then moved on to exchanging cell numbers – I’ve even had the priviledge of meeting many of you in person. The great thing is I continue to meet wonderful people all the time. If I flounced now, who knows what relationships I wouldn’t make? I’ve had too much fun and gained too many awesome friends to bow out now. Friends are one of life’s greatest blessings. We make friendships in the most unexpected ways in this fandom, and there’s no way I would deprive myself of that .

Additional Reading

• "410 Gone": Infocide in Open Content Communities, ^{Archived version} by Joseph Reagle, posted 5.2012, accessed 5.2012